Oust-Buhain letter already in Palace

The petition paper had reached Malacañang even before the dialogue took place.

This POC president Celso Dayrit confirmed yesterday, saying he himself endorsed then forwarded the petition paper to the Palace last Friday in seeking the immediate ouster of PSC chairman Eric Buhain.

Dayrit bared this move a day after he attended a two-hour dialogue between Buhain and more than 20 NSA (National Sports Association) presidents, including those who wanted the PSC chairman out of office.

Buhain and Dayrit shook hands after the dialogue.

Dayrit said the petition paper carried the signatures of only 13 NSA leaders, a minority considering that there are close to 50 NSAs, including the 36 regular voting members of the POC. The rest are either called recognized or associate member.

"But it’s not the question of numbers," said Dayrit. "The fact remains that these NSAs have presented real problems that should be addressed."

Before the petition paper was submitted by Dayrit to the Palace, some of those who signed it had reportedly changed their minds, probably realizing that removing Buhain as PSC chief won’t solve their problems revolving around the lack of budget.

Sources said some of these NSA leaders also felt that something could be done to settle the issue amicably and not interfere with President Arroyo’s busy schedule. Last Monday’s dialogue at the Century Park Hotel, for them, was the first step.

"Even if it carried more signatures, I don’t think it would merit the President’s attention, especially now that the elections is just three months away," said tennis chief Buddy Andrada, who did not sign the petition paper.

"I hope that chairman Buhain is sincere but it seems to me the PSC is bent on solving the problems. Let’s just hope for the best," said judo’s Rey Jaylo, one of those who signed.

Dayrit, the president of the national fencing association, also did not sign the petition paper but had Richard Gomez, a famous actor and member of the RP fencing team, signing on behalf of the association.

"Why would he (Dayrit) sign? And saying that he did, and President Arroyo does not act on their petition, where would that leave him? That the President did not act on a petition paper signed by the POC president? That would be a big blow to Dayrit," said a PSC-POC insider.

Just the same, wasn’t it Dayrit who carried it to Malacañang?